A tailor or seamstress, particularly in South Asian contexts, someone who makes or mends clothing by hand or with a sewing machine.
From Hindi दर्जी (darzī) and Urdu درزی (darzī), ultimately from Persian dōzandeh meaning 'sewer' or 'one who stitches.' The term entered English through colonial India where it was a common occupation.
This word is a window into colonial India—British writers needed a term for the skilled tailors they encountered, so they borrowed the local word directly rather than translating it, showing how language absorbs new cultural practices.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.